Former Clark County Sheriff and Family Extend Asset Freeze Amid $4 Million Lawsuit!
Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel and his entire family appeared in court on Monday and agreed to extend a temporary restraining order for 30 days, prohibiting them from selling or divesting any properties purchased with public cash.
Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office is suing the Noels and other former business acquaintances for $4 million. One lawsuit alleges misappropriation of Clark County Sheriff’s Office monies, while another alleges misappropriation of $3.1 million in funds from the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association and New Chapel EMS. Monday’s sessions were held in Washington County due to a potential schedule issue in Clark County court. No more court dates are expected in Washington County.
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Jamey, Misty, Kasey, Josey, and Gracy Noel all swore an oath before answering very few questions about the terms of the restraining order. Jamey, Misty, and Kasey are claimed to have been assigned credit cards at UTVFA. Each of them is facing criminal charges of differing degrees.
According to the state, Jamey Noel used public monies to pay for Josey and Gracy’s college tuition. They have not been charged criminally.
The family members held hands when each was called to testify. Several of them were cautioned that they could not sell any assets. Misty Noel used the chance to contradict something the attorney general’s office alleged last week: that she is attempting to sell some of the cars purchased with public dollars.
“You applied for duplicate titles purely to find out what was in your and your family’s names, without attempting to conceal assets from the State of Indiana. Is this true? Attorney Bart McMahon stated. “That’s true,” Misty said.
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Court filings in the criminal cases previously alleged that Jamey, Misty, and Kasey used UTVFA credit cards to buy personal products and vacations. Jamey has been accused of using money to pay child support and tuition for Gracy and Josey.
The new temporary restraining order will expire on June 21, and a hearing has been scheduled for that date, if the parties have not reached an agreement by then. Larry Wilder, Noel’s attorney, submitted a move to alter the judge in both civil proceedings on Monday.
Kenneth Hughbanks, Scott County’s former sheriff in 2018 and a named plaintiff in one complaint, was not present.
CASE BACKGROUND
Jamey Noel is charged with 25 criminal counts, including theft, tax evasion, corrupt business operations, ghost employment, and governmental misconduct. The ISP inquiry began in June 2023, following charges that Noel ordered jail workers to work on his personal property and do personal errands while on county time.
His wife, Misty Noel, is facing ten charges, including five counts of stealing and five counts of tax evasion.
Kasey Noel is charged with nine felonies, including five charges of theft and four counts of tax evasion.
According to previous court records, Hearon discovered millions of dollars in personal expenditures made by all three using Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards. He also alleged that they failed to disclose income on their taxes for five years.
Jamey led UTVFA until January when he was removed by the board.
In March, detectives discovered that Jamey and Misty had made over $100,000 in tuition and education-related expenditures using the cards. Hearon sought a judge for permission to examine Indiana University records for Josey and Gracy Noel, Jamey and Misty’s other daughters who are presently enrolled on IU campuses.
In April, ISP reported that the family spent more than $300,000 on holidays using fire department funds without being reimbursed. On April 9, a judge found Noel in contempt of court for carrying firearms in his home, which violated his bond conditions, and sentenced him to 60 days in jail.
The investigation also revealed that Jamey fathered a kid with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and paid child support with UTVFA monies.
Investigators have been looking at Jamey Noel’s huge automotive collection since the investigation began. According to court records, 133 cars are registered to the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS. A review of those vehicles revealed that several were “inconsistent” with a non-profit fire department and emergency medical services business.
Jamey is accused of arranging a vehicle trading and selling operation in which he traded in multiple UTVFA-registered cars for vehicles that he later registered to himself for personal use. In some situations, he allegedly sold them and pocketed the proceeds.
Court filings revealed in early March stated that 26 containers of military surplus equipment belonging to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office were discovered on a site in Deputy, Indiana. Hearon said Noel sold several items from the sheriff’s office for personal gain.
The investigation has also focused on Jamey’s buddy and associate, former Scott County Sheriff Kenneth Hughbanks. Hearon said Hughbanks neglected to declare more than $200,000 in income on his taxes. He hasn’t been charged.